Joanna Dong – Lullaby Nomad (2008)

Upon completing her Honours in Sociology at the National University of Singapore in 2004, Joanna went on to begin her diverse and multi-faceted career in singing and performing.

Fascinated with the human voice as a medium, and message in itself, Joanna’s vocal career includes performances with a cappella group ngam, Mandarin Jazz with WFP and residency with DJ-musicians collaborative, collective effervescence [coll.eff]. In 2007, she appeared at the Mosaic Music Festival with Jazz/Funk/Fusion band, Broken Orange Fence. Earlier this year, Joanna also held a solo lunchtime concert at the Esplanade concert hall performing a Mandarin jazz repertoire.

Joanna was initiated into the local musical theatre scene as an ensemble member for Snow Queen in 2005, followed by Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress (2006). She made her Mandarin theatre debut with sold-out musical If There’re Seasons (2007) as the feisty “Rose”, for which she was awarded the 8th Life! Theatre Award (Best Supporting Actress). Joanna most recently performed in Mandarin musical comedy The Soldier and His Virtuous Wife where she plays one of the title roles to positive reviews.

About Lullaby Nomad:
Strongly bilingual, Lullaby Nomad comprises songs with lyrics that Joanna has written both in English and Mandarin. The album means to appeal to both existing listeners of English vocal jazz music, but also serves as an induction to those who prefer the Mandarin medium, and are not yet familiar with the jazz idiom.

Translating and rewriting the lyrics to afro-cuban jazz instrumental Afro Blue, Joanna hopes to refresh existing notions of Mandarin jazz music that equate the “Old Shanghai” style. The heart and spirit of her music may be rooted in the jazz tradition, but the sound is one that is contemporary and fresh.

Joanna boldly hopes to generate unprecedented interest in jazz music among the Mandarin-speaking community, both locally and abroad.